For someone who was just stuck underground in a crowded subway car for 30 minutes, Gracileia Souza is in high spirits. The Brazil native shrugs off the delay as a routine peril of mass transit (“It happens,” she said) before quickly turning the conversation to her recent nuptials. “I’m excited to call someone my husband,” the Trump model says of Scott Morrison, a designer for 3×1 Denim, from Palm Springs, Calif. Of course, the free jeans don’t hurt. “That’s the best part,” Souza riffs. Racking up countless editorials (Glamour, Elle, Spanish Vogue) and campaigns (Pantene, Wella, Maybelline) over the past six years, the 28-year-old has lots to share. Here, she dishes on her most memorable modeling moments.

WWD: Do you remember your first big campaign?Gracileia Souza: The first campaign, oh my God. I don’t think it exists anymore. It was a clothing line. There was a billboard in Times Square. That was exciting because it was one of my first jobs. People just started saying, “I see you in Times Square.” My booker didn’t tell me it was going up.

WWD: When did you start modeling? G.S.: About six years ago. I came to Boston for an exchange program. A lot of the international students do that. A scouter from New York stopped me on the street and said, “You should be a model.” It was during summer break from school, so I could actually go to New York and check it out. I did it for a little and went back to Brazil. Then I did more traveling and lived in Europe, Asia, everywhere.”

WWD: Where was your favorite place to live? G.S.: I loved Thailand. I was there for six months. It’s so nice and peaceful. The people are great. There were a lot of German clients that go to Thailand because it’s cheaper to shoot there.

WWD: Have you ever done any runway? G.S.: Yes, when I was younger. I don’t remember which ones I did, but I did quite a few. In the beginning, I wasn’t in the fashion world. I didn’t know this brand or that brand. I was from Brazil!

WWD: Do you ever thing about going back to runway? G.S.: No. I think they like skinnier and young girls, which is OK. It’s great when you start. It teaches you fashion so you learn and see all the designers. And you meet Calvin Klein and you’re like “Oh my God, that’s Calvin Klein.” But back then, I had to learn all this because I never knew who Calvin Klein was. So you just learn. And now I love doing print.

WWD: What was your most memorable shoot? G.S.: My favorite place to shoot is the Pink Sands resort in Harbour Island [in the Bahamas]. Lots of clients shoot there because it’s so close. I even shot a towel catalogue there. When my booker called and told me, I was like, “What am I supposed to do with a towel?” Really, all I had to do was walk around with towels in my hands. But it was fun.Click Here for the Latest ‘Model Call’ >>

Latest Galleries

FREE ALERTS & NEWSLETTERS

Social Studies

In his new book “Hollywood Royale,” Andy Warhol’s Protégé Matthew Rolston celebrates the Eighties revival of Hollywood glamour. Featuring more than 100 portraits taken by Rolston from 1977 to 1993, the book contains photos of icons like Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, and @drewbarrymore, pictured here in 1991. “Hollywood Royale,” out today, will be accompanied by an exhibition opening at Los Angeles’ Fahey/Klein Gallery on March 1. #wwdeye

"Nowadays when life is not so happy with everything going on in the world, I think people come to me for a little bit of whimsy and color and fun." - Designer Rebecca De Ravenel on her cult-favorite jewelry line. (📸 : @vsteves) #wwd40

“Everyone is talking about how the retail industry is struggling, but I think it’s an incredible time because brands who are doing something different and innovative are setting themselves up for the future,” said @adamgoldston, who founded the luxury athletic brand @apl with his brother @ryangoldsten. The Goldston’s are part of WWD’s 40 under 40: a group of industry notables. See the rest of the list on WWD.com. (📷: @vsteves) #wwd40

@eyeswoon blogger Athena Calderone debuted her first-ever cookbook, “Cook Beautiful,” which is heavily centered on the presentation and visual expression of food. Pictured here are her miso glazed carrots from the book. Get the recipe on WWD.com. (📷: @johnny_miller_) #wwdeye

“It’s passion that helps get anybody to a certain point and it’s what’s propelled me,” said Kith founder @ronniefieg, one of WWD’s 40 under 40: a group of industry notables who are changing the face of retail, fashion and beauty. Fieg, who opened a Manhattan flagship on October 7, began his career at age 13 as a stock boy and salesman for footwear chain David Z. “I think staying true to [my] beliefs, hard work and passion have gotten me to where [Kith] is today.” See the rest of the 40 at WWD.com. (📷: @vsteves) #wwd40

25-year-old @samweaving is about to break out this fall, starring in Netflix’s horror film “The Babysitter,” fittingly out today on Friday the 13th. That’s not the only place you’ll be seeing her, though — Weaving’s got a role Showtime’s “SMILF” and another alongside Frances McDormand and Woody Harrelson in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.” Though she’s got a full plate at the moment, there’s one role she’s got her eye on: Marilyn Monroe. “I’m a little too young at the moment, but it’s on my bucket list,” the actress told WWD (📷: @dandoperalski) #wwdeye

BFF's Poppy Jamie and Suki Waterhouse celebrated the launch of their bag line Pop x Suki at Nordstrom last night. "The line is really about our friendship, and how we are so different but complement each other," said Waterhouse. 👯 (📷: Katie Jones) #wwdeye

After designing the new @louisvuitton and @bulgariofficial flagships and a @chanelofficial boutique opening in Japan, @petermarinoarchitect has another project on his plate: The Lobster Club. Located in the Seagram Building, it’s the famed architect’s first restaurant project in New York, serving up modern Japanese brasserie-style cuisine. Bronze hues, bespoke material detailing, blush and chartreuse tones and a heavy emphasis on Picasso can be seen throughout. Mark your calendars for Nov. 1 for the much-anticipated opening. (📷: @clint_spaulding) #wwdeye

Did you know: @carlychaikin of "Mr. Robot" has been painting for about a decade? The actress, who plays Darlene on the show, is a self-taught artist who lists Salvador Dalí and Chuck Close as some of her idols. Chaikin told WWD that painting is a form of meditation for her — A much-needed one given the intensity of "Mr. Robot." See a piece Chaikin is working on at WWD.com (📷: @jilliansollazzo) #wwdeye